By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, April 24, 2025
Photo credit: Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters Facebook
Tennis legend Novak Djokovic has triumphed over some of the most celebrated champions on the grandest stages of the sport.
During a recent media session at the Mutua Madrid Open, Djokovic reflected on a standout player he believes is often overlooked – the remarkable Stan Wawrinka.
As the ten-year anniversary of Wawrinka’s epic four-set victory over Djokovic in the 2015 French Open final approaches, the Serbian star applauded his occasional practice partner as “an extraordinary athlete” who doesn’t receive enough recognition in conversations about greatness.
“[Stan is] an extraordinary athlete, someone I admire greatly as a person as well. I believe he’s often underappreciated in discussions,” Djokovic expressed during his press conference. “He’s clinched Olympic gold in doubles, captured three Grand Slam titles, and has an incredible career overall.”
“At 40 years old, after numerous knee surgeries, he’s still fighting, showing up early to practice and demonstrating a dedication that is truly impressive.”
While many fans—and fellow competitors—highlight Wawrinka’s stunning one-handed backhand as his main strength, Djokovic emphasizes his indomitable spirit in recovering from surgeries and his unwavering passion for the game as his hallmark traits.
“I truly admire him and Andy [Murray] for their resilience, going down to the Challenger circuit to rebuild their ranking and find match play,” Djokovic noted. “I’ve never faced that situation, and I hope to never have to rebuild my ranking, but that determination speaks volumes about the champion mentality they possess.”
Recalling that dramatic 2015 final, Djokovic confessed he was relieved not to be facing the King of Clay, Rafa Nadal, until Wawrinka caught fire with his relentless shot-making.
Displaying a combination of fierce determination and effortless flair, Wawrinka dazzled the crowd and defeated the top seed in a breathtaking match, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4, earning his first title at Roland Garros while denying Djokovic his quest for a career Grand Slam.
Reflecting on that moment, Djokovic joked that Wawrinka “stole” the title while sporting the most eccentric shorts in the history of the Open Era, a playful jab they still share a laugh about today.
“That was one of my toughest losses, since I hadn’t won Roland Garros yet, and it was another final for me,” Djokovic reminisced. “I thought I had a good chance to win, but then Stan took it from me with his phenomenal performance. We often joke that his success was thanks to those shorts; it’s a fond memory that lingers.”
Though Djokovic dominates their rivalry with 21 wins out of 26 matches, Wawrinka stunned him once more in the 2016 US Open final, securing his “Stan the Man” title from NYC tabloids.
In a grueling battle lasting nearly four hours, Wawrinka claimed victory with a score of 6-7 (1), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3, taking home his first US Open title.
“There’s no secret – to beat the world No. 1, you have to give it your all,” Wawrinka remarked, reflecting on his triumph. “This Grand Slam was the toughest, both physically and mentally, that I’ve ever played.”
In front of a spirited crowd of over 25,000 fans, Wawrinka became the oldest US Open champion since Ken Rosewall in 1970.
Admitting to feeling overwhelmed with nerves minutes before the match, Wawrinka said, “I was shaking and crying in the locker room. But I focused on my game and knew I had to put up a fight.”
When asked how he managed to stay composed after an emotional moment, Wawrinka simply stated, “I had to put my stuff together,” bringing laughter to the press room with his candidness.
